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Minister writes to Ramsey Commissioners

Health boss has been criticised over endoscopy unit saga

Health Minister Kate Beecroft has written to Ramsey Town Commissioners to outline how changes to endoscopy services on the Island will increase capacity and reduce waiting times.

It follows a public requisition meeting in the town in which concern was expressed about the centralising of the service at Nobles Hospital.

Some equipment, funded by the Friends of Ramsey Cottage Hospital, will now be transferred to Douglas.

In her letter, Mrs Beecroft says by consolidating the endoscopy service at Nobles and redistributing clinicians, it will be possible to provide an additional six clinics a week.

The extra clinics will see an increase of 21 hours over the previous weekly work pattern split between Nobles and Ramsey and the two hours a week spent by on-duty doctors travelling between the two sites will also be recouped.

It's claimed this will clear the waiting list - currently 1,650 - within 12 months and bring waiting times for standard appointment down from 33 weeks to six - the same as in England.

Mrs Beecroft says whilst she accepts that some people aren't in favour of the move to Nobles, she hopes it can now be seen that the decision has been made for the right reasons,  namely to improve care and enhance patient safety. 

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